The recent WPIAL realignment has redrawn the high school basketball map across Allegheny County, sending the Deer Lakes Lancers into a new Section 4 that clusters them with rivals such as Hampton and West Mifflin.
Section 4 Takes Shape
Coach Albie Fletcher voiced his disappointment at the geographic shift, noting the loss of longtime local rivalries, yet he remains confident that his squad can thrive in the new environment. At the center of the Lancers’ roster is rising senior guard/forward Evan Moore, whose scoring instincts and defensive grit have quickly made him a cornerstone for the team’s rebuilding effort.
The realignment also reshapes other programs. Plum now sits in Section 2‑5A and is pinning its hopes on a return to the WPIAL playoffs, while Fox Chapel’s girls basketball team has been elevated to Class 6A despite being smaller than many of its new section opponents. Coach Marty Matvey, who knows many of the coaches in the upgraded bracket, worries about the size disparity but draws on his familiarity with the competition to craft a strategy.
Playoff Hopes and Independent Paths
Oakland Catholic has chosen to move voluntarily into Class 5A, and St. Joseph continues its streak of playoff appearances for seven consecutive seasons. In contrast, Valley and Highlands will operate on independent schedules for the next two years, a pragmatic response to dwindling player numbers across their rosters.